Extremity support apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides an adjustable apparatus, which is attachable to a medical emergency cot, gurney, wheeled stretcher, medical bed, medical chair or the like, and that functions to support and immobilize of an extremity of a human body. The apparatus has a cot attachment member to which is attached a movable linkage connected to an extension pole assembly which in turn is connected to an extremity support member and wherein certain combinations of relative movements of the movable linkage, the extension pole assembly and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in positions that support an extremity of a and wherein other combinations of relative movements allow the apparatus to be disposed in a storage position. In certain embodiments the apparatus is attachable to a chair for use in phlebotomy procedures.

1 . An apparatus attachable to an emergency cot comprising:
 one or more cot attachment members attachable to a rail component of the cot;   a movable linkage attached to the cot attachment member;   an extension pole assembly comprising an outer tube with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer tube proximal end is pivotably attached to the movable linkage, and an inner tube with a proximal end and a distal end wherein the inner tube is telescopically coupled within the outer tube; and   an extremity support member rotatably coupled to the distal end of the inner tube;   wherein certain combinations of relative movements of the movable linkage, the extension pole assembly and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in positions that support an extremity of a patient lying on the emergency cot and wherein other combinations of relative movements of the movable linkage, the extension pole assembly and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed in a storage position   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the movable linkage is a four-bar linkage, a three-bar linkage, a hinged coupling or a ball-joint linkage. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the movable linkage is a four-bar linkage. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein a rail of the cot to which the apparatus is attached defines one bar of the four-bar linkage. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a locking mechanism comprising a locking rod and perforated flat plate mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The extremity support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the extension pole assembly and the support member is provided with a locking means. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the locking means is selected from the group consisting of a friction clamp having a lead screw, a quick release clamp having a non-circular cam, a friction collar and a collet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the locking means is a friction collar or collet. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a diagonal brace member with a body having a proximal end, a distal end and a slot extending through the body along its longitudinal axis from a point near the distal end and extending to a point at least past the center point of the longitudinal axis, wherein the proximal end of the diagonal brace is pivotally attached to the movable linkage and wherein the extension pole assembly comprises a locking pin means slidably coupled through the slot of the diagonal support such that the diagonal brace member functions to impart rigidity and strength the apparatus as the extension pole assembly is pivotally rotated relative to the movable linkage. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a stabilization mechanism comprising an outer tube rod disposed along and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube of the extension pole assembly wherein the outer tube rod is attached to the outer tube near the proximal end and distal end of the outer tube such that a space is maintained between the outer tube rod and the outer tube; and a plate comprising a slot having an open end and a closed end; wherein the plate is attached to said one or more cot attachment members such that the slot is parallel to the rail component to which the one or more cot attachment members are attachable such that the slot engages the outer tube rod when the apparatus is in an extended position for use in supporting an extremity of a patient. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a locking mechanism comprising a slotted lever rotatably attached to the slotted plate and a slotted plate pin fixedly attached to the slotted plate at or near the open end of the slotted plate slot wherein the slotted lever comprises a lever slot sized and positioned to engage the slotted plate pin and functioning to prevent the outer tube rod from disengaging when disposed in the slotted plate slot. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more cot attachment members comprise one or more C-clamps. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the extremity support member is contoured to conform to the shape of a patient's extremity. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the extremity support member further comprises a replaceable pad. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the extremity support member has contours arranged to be easily gripped by the hand of a patient. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rail component of the cot is a frame rail or a side rail. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a rigid handle attached the movable linkage. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a retaining-clip disposed and configured to springedly engage and retain extension pole assembly when the apparatus is disposed in a storage position. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus attachable to a phlebotomy chair comprising:
 one or more chair attachment members attachable to an arm rail of the chair;   a movable linkage attached to the one or more chair attachment members;   an extension pole assembly comprising an outer tube with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer tube proximal end is pivotably attached to the movable linkage, and an inner tube with a proximal end and a distal end wherein the inner tube is telescopically coupled within the outer tube; and   an extremity support member rotatably coupled to the distal end of the inner tube of the extension pole assembly; wherein   certain combinations of relative movements of the movable linkage, the extension pole assembly and the extremity support member allow the apparatus to be disposed and secured in positions that support an arm of a patient seated in the chair.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the movable linkage is a four-bar linkage, a three-bar linkage, a hinged coupling or a ball-joint linkage. 
     
     
         21 . The extremity support apparatus of  claim 19  wherein at least one of the extension pole assembly and the support member is provided with a locking means selected from the group consisting of a friction clamp having a lead screw, a quick release clamp having a non-circular cam, a friction collar and a collet. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a diagonal brace member with a body having a proximal end, a distal end and a slot extending through the body along its longitudinal axis from a point near the distal end and extending to a point at least past the center point of the longitudinal axis, wherein the proximal end of the diagonal brace is pivotally attached to the movable linkage and wherein the extension pole assembly comprises a locking pin slidably coupled through the slot of the diagonal support such that the diagonal brace member functions to impart rigidity and strength the apparatus as the extension pole assembly is pivotally rotated relative to the movable linkage. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a stabilization mechanism comprising an outer tube rod disposed along and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube of the extension pole assembly wherein the outer tube rod is attached to the outer tube near the proximal end and distal end of the outer tube such that a space is maintained between the outer tube rod and the outer tube; and a plate comprising a slot having an open end and a closed end; wherein the plate is attached to said one or more chair attachment members such that the slot is parallel to the chair arm rail to which the one or more cot attachment members are attachable such that the slot engages the outer tube rod when the apparatus is in an extended position for use in supporting an arm of a patient. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the chair one or more attachment members comprises one or more C-clamps. 
     
     
         25 . A method of affording extremity support for a patient disposed in an emergency cot comprising the steps of:
 i. providing the apparatus of  claim 1 ;   ii. attaching the apparatus to an emergency cot;   iii. adjusting and securing the apparatus in a position appropriate for supporting a patient's extremity; and   iii. disposing the patient's extremity on the support member.